In Every Generation by Kendare Blake Published by Disney-Hyperion on January 4, 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
A new Slayer for a new generation...
Frankie Rosenberg is passionate about the environment, a sophomore at New Sunnydale High School, and the daughter of the most powerful witch in Sunnydale history. Her mom, Willow, is slowly teaching her magic on the condition that she use it to better the world. But Frankie’s happily quiet life is upended when new girl Hailey shows up with news that the annual Slayer convention has been the target of an attack, and all the Slayers—including Buffy, Faith, and Hailey’s older sister Vi—might be dead. That means it’s time for this generation’s Slayer to be born.
But being the first ever Slayer-Witch means learning how to wield a stake while trying to control her budding powers. With the help of Hailey, a werewolf named Jake, and a hot but nerdy sage demon, Frankie must become the Slayer, prevent the Hellmouth from opening again, and find out what happened to her Aunt Buffy, before she’s next.
Get ready for a whole new story within the world of Buffy!
The first in an all-new series by New York Times best-selling author Kendare Blake continues the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer featuring the next generation of Scoobies and Slayers who must defeat a powerful new evil.
My top thoughts:
If you know me really well, you know that I ADORE Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BTVS). I can tell you details of probably every episode after watching the first minute, I’ve seen it so many times. My dog is named Buffy. So when I saw In Every Generation I was nervous-excited. The cover was gorgeous, and the premise actually sounded really promising. So I did something I RARELY do. I pre-ordered the Hardcover and started reading it the day after release. I honestly can’t remember the last time I pre-ordered a book AND started reading it immediately. And I really REALLY wanted to love it. Well…
What I liked/didn’t like:
I liked it! I really did! Here’s why:
- Kendare Blake is quite clearly a fan. She throws in so many small references that do nothing to hurt the flow of the book if you don’t know BTVS, but if you do they are fun little treats!
- While we’re focusing on a new Slayer – Frankie – we do see some of the original Scoobies. And Kendare Blake chose characters I really wanted to see more of to be at the center of the story… Willow, Spike and Oz – Literally my favorites. I would have loved to also see Faith and Giles, but I can’t complain with this line up
- It just fits. All the explanations/mythology, the humor/snark, and the emotion all matched. I was surprised to see how well Kendare Blake captured the personalities of characters that are practically real people to me.
- The story itself was solid. I don’t want to spoil anything here, but we’re back in Sunnydale (I know, right? How? you’ll see LOL) and there’s a new big bad to face — and a new slayer, Willow’s daughter (I know right?!?! Who? How? You’ll see LOL) Frankie, to face it. And a new crew of Scoobies to fight alongside her.
- I enjoyed all the characters – old and new. I like the way the new characters are distinct and yet you also see a little bit of a mirror of the original Scoobies, kind of for nostalgia’s sake
- The ending! Ok, I’m ready for book 2 now please!
I do have a couple *small* problems:
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- They keep saying the Frankie is the first ever Slayer-Witch. We know this is not true. When they defeated Adam in season 4, they called upon the powers of old slayers – including one(s) that had magical abilities. It wasn’t just Willow’s magic that did the defeating there. Willow wasn’t at that level yet.
- I don’t love the way Willow’s sexuality seems to be up for debate. I get that Oz is there and we all loved him and Willow BUT I think we all loved the way Willow truly came into herself once she realized she was a lesbian. It’s a huge part of what made the show great – the way it embraced her sexuality. So I hope future books don’t play on that.
- Ok I alluded to Sunnydale and while yeah, I can semi-believe the New Sunnydale scenario, I also saw that hole and I’m trying to figure out how you recognize someplace like the old Magic Box store? If there’s a town, it’s all brand new. There’s no way anything is still recognizable after Spikeplosion (I do love that term lol).
… Those were really my only qualms, I think. There were probably other small things, but I loved the nostalgia mixed with the new so much I was willing to forgive and forget.
Clearly, I loved it and I’m so excited to keep reading. Also, I would very much love to see this become a new tv series. Unlike any other reboots I’ve heard thrown about in the past, this is original, fits 2022, AND has a really legitimate way to incorporate some of the original cast (but could they afford Alyson Hannigan and Seth Green these days???) Anyway, yeah this could absolutely be the tv show.
Berls - A Die Hard Buffy Fan - was so excited about In Every Generation by @KendareBlake. She was not disappointed! 4/5 star #review Share on X
Glad you liked it. I have now seen a person who loved it and a person who wasn’t a fan of it who was also a Buffy fan. 🙂
Oh interesting! I would be curious if they were team Angel — I do feel like this is going to appeal more to team Spike Buffy fans.
Hmmm I liked Buffy a lot- I think I’ll check it out!
I hope you enjoy it!!
I watched Buffy only once and it’s been awhile. I did really enjoy it but I don’t have the depth of familiarity you do. So it probably wouldn’t be as much of a connection for me.
Yeah, while I think non-fans could enjoy it, it’s super special for fans.
As a Buffy fan, this sounds like a must read. I always felt like Willow was bi though – she’s about the person, not the gender.
I can see that and have definitely considered it. But she has several lines where she calls herself a lesbian, which is why I take issue with it. If she were to come out as bi or pan, I would be fine with it. But yes, a must read for Buffy fans, absolutely!
Oh no I don’t like at all that Willow’s sexuality seems up for debate. I definitely agree with you there!
Yeah, I didn’t love that element. Like Shelleyrae mentioned, I could see an argument for Willow being Bi, but I’d want to have her state that, since in the series she definitely describes herself as a lesbian. But she still says she’s a lesbian in this book, so I didn’t like the way there was awkward tension with it. I may have also read too much into it. *shrugs* either way it was good.